Both Xi’an and Lanzhou are on the well-known Silk Road. Xi’an, as the beginning point of the Silk Road, is in quite an important position. Many Silk Road tour itineraries and Orient Express journeys start from Xi’an.
In recent years, bullet trains have also become available between these two cities. 79 pairs of trains run between these two cities every day, including 42 pairs of high-speed trains and 37 pairs of normal-speed trains.
Xi’an-Lanzhou High-Speed Trains
Quick Facts
- Distance: 568 kilometers (353 miles)
- Terminals: Xi’an North Railway Station, Lanzhou West Railway Station
- Duration: 2½-3½ hours
Xi’an to Lanzhou High-Speed Train Schedules
(Updated on May 31st, 2023)
| Train Number | Departure | Arrival | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| D2721 | 07:00 | 10:08 | 3h 8m |
| D2679 | 10:04 | 13:22 | 3h 18m |
| G2023 | 11:59 | 15:14 | 3h 15m |
| G3165 | 18:01 | 21:07 | 3h 6m |
| G1979 | 18:49 | 21:54 | 3h 5m |
| G843 | 21:19 | 23:59 | 2h 40m |
The timetable above is for your reference only. Check out the Xi’an to Lanzhou up-to-date schedules.
Lanzhou to Xi’an High-Speed Train Schedules
(Updated on May 31st, 2023)
| Train Number | Departure | Arrival | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| D2680 | 06:33 | 09:39 | 3h 6m |
| G1980 | 08:13 | 11:17 | 3h 4m |
| G430 | 08:55 | 11:59 | 3h 4m |
| D2682 | 12:32 | 15:46 | 3h 14m |
| G2024 | 15:38 | 18:53 | 3h 15m |
| D2728 | 17:42 | 21:07 | 3h 25m |
Xi’an to Lanzhou High-Speed Train Ticket Fares
| Business Class | First Class | Second Class |
|---|---|---|
| US$74 (CNY525.5) | US$33 (CNY231.5) | US$25 (CNY174.5) |
Xi’an-Lanzhou Normal-Speed Trains
Quick Facts
- Terminals: Lanzhou Railway Station, Xi’an Railway Station
- Duration: 7-8½ hours
Xi’an to Lanzhou Normal-Speed Train Schedules
(Updated on May 31st, 2023)
| Train Number | Departure | Arrival | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Z377 | 03:33 | 10:26 | 6h 53m |
| Z293 | 05:10 | 12:53 | 7h 43m |
| K2187 | 09:30 | 17:47 | 8h 17m |
| Z105 | 11:02 | 18:35 | 7h 33m |
| K177 | 22:44 | 06:22 | 7h 38m |
The timetable above is for your reference only. Check out the Xi’an to Lanzhou up-to-date schedules.
Lanzhou to Xi’an Normal-Speed Train Schedules
(Updated on May 31st, 2023)
| Train Number | Departure | Arrival | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Z274 | 01:21 | 10:01 | 8h 37m |
| K420 | 08:35 | 18:06 | 9h 31m |
| T118 | 11:14 | 20:13 | 8h 59m |
| T114 | 13:56 | 23:35 | 9h 39m |
| K390 | 21:15 | 07:29 | 10h 14m |
Xi’an-Lanzhou Normal-Speed Train Ticket Fares
| Soft Sleeper | Hard Sleeper | Hard Seat |
|---|---|---|
| US$36 (CNY251) | US$23 (CNY163) | US$13 (CNY93) |
Train Travel Tips
1. Over 35 pairs of trains run between these two cities every day so there are plenty to choose from to suit your schedule, especially in the low and shoulder seasons.
2. Bullet trains only take about 3 hours, which is quite a short duration. If you have enough time and a limited budget, you can consider normal-speed trains. You can board a train in the morning and arrive in the afternoon, which is also very fast. You can also choose an overnight train to save a night’s hotel bill.
3. There are three types of normal-speed trains: Z, K, and T trains. Z trains are the fastest, T trains are a little slower, and K trains are the slowest.
4. In the peak season, it is easier to book a train that departs from Xi’an rather than one that passes through the station.
5. A flight takes about 1 hour and 35 minutes and the airfare is usually no more than 600 CNY. However, you have to consider the time it takes to get to and from the airport and the time needed to pass through the security check.
